Momordica balsamina acetone leaf extract induces apoptosis and inhibits the invasiveness and migration of MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Abstract

Despite its well-documented nutritional and medicinal properties, Momordica balsamina has not received enough attention in cancer research. As a result, this study investigated whether a crude acetone leaf extract of Momordica balsamina could induce apoptosis and inhibit the migration and invasiveness of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The MTT assay showed a significant decrease in cell viability after 48 h of treatment with concentrations from 100 – 200 µg/ml of the extract. Light microscopy, the acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining assay, and the Muse™ MitoPotential kit showed that the decrease in cell viability is associated with apoptotic cell death. Indeed, extract-treated cells showed signs of chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, and loss of membrane permeability and mitochondrial membrane potential. The scratch wound-healing assay and transwell cell invasion kit showed that the extract inhibited the invasive and migratory abilities of MCF-7 cells, respectively. Also, the extract modulated the expression of proteins involved in the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis, as well as those involved in the regulation of cell invasiveness and migration. Based on these findings, we concluded that Momordica balsamina is a potential source of anticancer compounds.